Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Longing for a swimming pool

The longer we live here in the land of hot summers, the more we wish for a swimming pool. Steve had the great idea of getting one of those Easy Set, soft sided pool things. So, since last summer we didn't get one, yesterday he decided it was time. He brought it home and in true fashion after getting everything set so we could fill it with water, we realized there was a significant tear in it. Back in the box it went and Steve took it to exchange it. After returning we set it all up again and after much debate over where it would fit and whether or not the group was level enough for it to even work, we attempted to fill it up. This is what happened.....



As you can tell it didn't quite work the way it supposed to.... we actually have quite a slope in our yard, it sure didn't seem like it until we attempted this. So, all the water collected in the half of the pool closest to the house. Needless to say, Steve was most bummed and we are boxing it up to take it back. I'm not sure what his next plan of action will be, I'll keep you posted! On a positive note though the kids had a good time being thrown in the pool and splashing around. They were adorable. Josh had a great time splashing until Brooklynn, while trying to help him sit, pulled Josh under. You can see in the last picture of Josh that he was terrified as he fell in. I can't believe I caught it on film because I was jumping up to pull him out of the water.

Is Joshua glowing?

PreSchool Graduation/ Swimming Awards



Here are a few pictures from the preschool graduation party for Brooklynn's group. We had a swimming party and the kids had a blast. Brooklynn also successfully finished her swimming and was so pleased when she recieved a 'Champion' Swimmer medal. After a few uncertain moments of crying and clinging to me, Joshua warmed up to the swimming thing. He looked so cute with his earplugs coverd by his head band that they (the doctors) insist that he wears. If it will help keep the ear infections away I'm happy to make him look silly!


Monday, May 21, 2007

Tyler... Brooklynn...Joshua


I thought a good update on all three of my crazy kids would be in order since it has been a while.


Tyler has been very busy with school and Tball continues for another few weeks. He is getting very restless for school to be out (aren't we all), but has loved his first year. He is a superstar reader and really has a good time at school. He has grown up so much this year and it is sort of sad to see how independent he is becoming, I love him so much he is such a great kid. He just had a big growth spurt, I can't believe how tall he is getting. I don't know if he will catch up to Jaq'eal, but he is going to be taller than me before I know it. I keep telling him that he is getting so big that someday I will have to sit on his lap so he can snuggle me. He just giggles at me. Brooklynn, Josh and I went to "Miner" day at school the other day (their mascot is a Miner as in gold) anyway, it was fun to see him having fun with all his classmates and showing his sister around his class room. Here are a few pics of him.





The Star Wars chalk art





Can you tell someone likes his big brother?




As for Brooklynn, she is almost done with her preschool group. You know the one that I have taken turns teaching. It has been great for her and for me, but I don't know if I'll do it ever again. Anyway, she is excited to be registered to go to Tyler's old preschool next year. She has also been very busy taking swimming lessons. They have a great swim school here which is super expensive, but I was able to get her into some of the teacher training sessions with a discounted rate, so she is now my little fish. She can swim across the pool all by herself and when she needs to she rolls over onto her back to take a breath and then rolls over and keeps going. It is cute to watch and she loves it. I have been amazed at the little kids they teach at this place. They teach 2 year olds how to do what Brooks is doing. Amazing. I have attached a video of her swimming so check it out!





Joshua. Where to start. The kid is really funny. For some reason he just is funny. He does things that he knows will get a laugh and is constantly looking at us to see if we think he is funny. He is so delightful and we can't help but smile at him. He is also climbing onto everything he can reach. It started with the stool in the bathroom and taking whatever he could reach off the counters, but now it is worse. The coffee table, the ottoman, where ever his little self can reach. Just yesterday he climbed up on the coffee table and then thought wow it would be a great idea to dive into moms lap over there on the couch. Oh yes and he did, over and over and over again (at the encouragement of Steve of course). He was most pleased with himself. He is also starting to throw some great and very ineffective tantrums. I will say however that daddy is a sucker for Joshua and gives in way too much. We'll see how that goes as the tantrums get worse.


I took this picture before the child lock went on the cupboard with the colors today. He had a great tantrum when he figured out he was officially banned from the colors. Can you see the twinkle in his eyes? I am so in trouble with him.



I can't finish my post with out mentioning that GRANDMA came to visit us this weekend. We had lots of fun and ate lots of fresh fruit, vegies and homemade salsa. It was great and the kids were in heaven. She was able to go with us to Ty's Tball game and see what a nut Josh is. She and Brooklynn spent tons of time playing games and coloring. Joshy warmed up to her in record breaking time and I took a picture for proof. He has been very clingy lately, maybe this is a sign of getting over it. It was wonderful to have her with us. I always hate it when we have to say goodbye, we miss you Grandma, thanks for coming!!!